Success Stories

You can get fit and stay fit at any age. Read the real life testimonials below to see how Acacia Fitness can change your life. Acacia Fitness is owned and operated by Angela deJong, author of Reality Fitness.

“I started my sessions with Angela at one of the lowest points in my life. Mentally, physically, emotionally I was done, but I needed help and I had no idea where to start. So many trainers, programs, peers, had rejected the idea that I needed fitness and rather needed some good McDonalds and pasta. I presented her my challenge, full expecting to hear the same things I had heard before. Not only that but I requested training via Skype as I am not in her area with my then 3 year old daughter along for the ride. Instead I heard a smile, and an acknowledgment that she could help. She then proceeded to ask me fitness and health questions I had never heard before in such an open and nonjudgmental way of where I was that day. I knew I was never turning back. She listened… she also didn’t go lightly into our sessions but rather gracefully, full of energy, passion and challenge. Some sessions and challenges have taken a lot of mental change and will power on my behalf and she has understood that. She has also always known exactly what to say to stay in my head each week as that positive voice that keeps whispering ‘you can do it, keep going, one more’ she has simply not given up. She has an uncompromising want to see others succeed in their healthy lifestyle. She never focus’ on the numbers or the changes or the weeks ahead or behind, she celebrates the now. I am proud now when people say wow you look good and can easily say, well I have a hard ass trainer that never quits! I will forever recommend Angela to anyone looking for a fitness and healthy lifestyle expert. She has not only changed my life but my daughter will know a true healthy, strong mother.”

“I am writing to say how phenomenal the Reality Fitness program is. Angela invited me to be a part of the program and the timing could not have been better. I had surgery to remove my thyroid gland in November of 2014. After the surgery we spent just over a year getting my thyroid hormone levels back to normal. One of the side effects of being hypothyroid is weight gain. Over that year period I gained between 25 and 30 pounds.
Once I had my hormones in check I was ready to start losing the weight and this Youtube program was perfect for me. You know going in that it is going to be a lot of work to lose 30lbs but the 12 habit program is very manageable. What makes it so good is that the program institutes lifestyle habits throughout the 12 weeks. The habits not only help you lose weight throughout the program but they are also habits that you can maintain after the program is over.
The Youtube videos made it real easy for me to get access to the next habit as well as give me an idea of why we were doing each habit. The only suggestion that I had through the process was to release the video a little earlier in the weekend so that I could get prepared for the next habit. Angela quickly made that change. Angela was extremely supportive throughout the process which helped me feel like I was still connected to someone even though the program was done through the videos.
The nutrition program made sense which made it easier to take the hard work and sacrifice involved in losing the weight. Every step of the way I felt like what I was doing was healthy and making sense for my body. So many diets today feel gimmicky and not maintainable.
Over the 12 week period I lost the 30 pounds that I wanted to lose and in fact managed to do it with a couple of weeks to spare. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking to get healthy and develop habits that will enable them to stay healthy after the program is over. Thanks Ang for helping me get healthy again at 40.”

“My training experience with Angela has been extremely exceptional and one that I recommend to everyone! Even strangers ? After my first workout I was up and out of bed with more energy. The first workout was so invigorating and exciting and I knew that I was doing something great for myself. My mind had already begun to shift in a positive direction in regards to my well being.
After the 4th workout my husband noticed my energy levels and we were able to do outdoor activities together for a much longer period than we were able to do before. He became very grateful for my sessions with Angela – it now wasn’t just me that it was impacting.
After the 7th workout I really began to feel my muscles again and the isolation of the different muscles at work. I felt strong and able and confident. Angela is truly passionate about her training and you can see it in everything she does.
About half way through my 3 month workout program I was as flexible as I was about a decade ago. I felt young and energetic. Angela is smiling throughout and so encouraging. She is thrilled to hear about how your life is improving due to the physical training. She is genuine, happy, energetic, encouraging, supportive, and absolutely wonderful to be with.
Needless to say after the 3 month workout program, I could not quit. It is simply too important for one’s health and the impact it has on their life, not only for themselves but also for their loved ones around them. I now see spending money on training sessions with Angela is just as important as buying groceries.”

“Fitness became a regular part of my lifestyle at a very young age. I was diagnosed with Fibromaylgia at twelve years old, so I figured out early that I needed to take care of my body so that I could feel good without medication. Diet and exercise became a part of my daily life and also developed into a passion. When most teenagers were out partying, I was reading about or participating in the latest health and fitness craze. I started training seriously at 18 with my first personal trainer. I also have an artificial leg, so I hired a trainer just to ensure I was performing the exercises properly. I have had a few personal trainers over the years, but none have been as passionate as Angela. I started training with Angela in March of 2012 and have never looked back. I look forward to our workouts and how she so gently “pushes” me past what I ever thought possible. Her planning is right up my “teacher” alley with her monthly workout plans. I have it taped her calendar onto the inside of my cupboard. I can check off my workouts as I go! She has continued to fuel my passion for fitness and health and has reignited my love of working out with her functional workouts that she changes every time we meet. Angela is a rarity. I just feel so blessed to have even met her, not only as my trainer, but as a person and friend. She is one of the most kind-hearted and positive people I have ever met. Her smile and excitement are contagious and I just am so thankful that I pulled a rib and contacted her for some help. I figured I would workout with her for a few months and then I’d be fine again. It’s been over a year of training with her and I hope she’s not going anywhere! I can’t wait to start prepping for my August wedding with her. I know she will kick my butt so that I will look my best on my special day. Thank you Angela, words cannot express my gratitude for what you do for me everyday. You truly are an inspiration.”

“Angela is a highly energetic, extremely motivated personal trainer. She is always in a good mood and very excited to teach you what she knows – which is a considerable amount. Her love of building a healthy body and challenging yourself, setting lofty goals and reaching them are all so infectious you can’t help but be convinced that her odd desire to spend every waking hour in a sweat is a natural state.
I trained with Angela at a time when I had very little motivation to make a serious change in my life. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious; I quickly stopped finding excuses to avoid the gym and started finding ways to get there more often. The more I see results, the more I am driven to push myself. I can hear Angela’s voice in my head telling me to do “Just three more!” when I can’t even think of finishing what I am in the middle of. The pay off has been a strong body and a healthy mind. I continue to notice changes that amaze me, and it is all because of Angela’s focus and determination to help me achieve my very best; which is much more than I ever believed was possible.
I highly recommend Angela for anyone who has decided to make a change and is ready to see results.”

“Angela is truly an excellent trainer. The results we have achieved to date through Acacia Fitness are largely due to the perfect combination of diverse training methods, individualized exercise/nutrition programs & challenging yet achievable goal setting. We have never felt stronger or healthier. Angela’s positivity and professionalism, extensive knowledge and enthusiastic commitment to her work and ultimately her clients, provided us with the perfect scenario for success. Thanks to Angela and all her coaching and motivation, we have set foundations for our new healthier lifestyle!”

“I just wanted to send you a very genuine thank you. Today was one of those really memorable days when I really noticed the change. After walking 18 holes of golf in the morning, I did my interval training, and THEN went for a 25 minute run. When I started this, I could not run for 2 minutes straight, never mind 25 minutes, up and down the hills in Magrath. I felt like I could have run for an hour. I came in the house and told my wife that I might actually be in better shape than I have ever been. We talked about how earlier this week, I finished my intervals, and then decided to try and see how fast I could run 1 mile. I did it in less than 8 minutes: not world class, but the quickest I have run a mile in my entire life. The transformation in 4 months is unbelievable. I really do owe you a great deal of thanks, and I really hope others can take the leap to change their lives too. You really are excellent at what you do!

I have told numerous people that they need to go through this program. I tell them that most of us have no idea how to correctly eat and exercise, and that learning the correct way makes a huge difference. I tell them I really enjoyed the process, even though I had to work very hard. I tell them I am more fit at 39 then I was at 29, and maybe even 19. I tell them that anything can become a habit, positive or negative, might as well choose to follow good habits. I tell them how I had hernia surgery in January, and have not felt even the slightest bit of pain in months. I tell them how my cholesterol is lower every time I get tested. I tell them how much better I feel, how much energy I have, how much more attracted my wife is to me, and how great it feels to have someone say “Wow, do you ever look great”. I tell people how I have had to buy all these new clothes, and now have a pile of “fat clothes” in the closest that are so big on me they look like somebody else’s clothes. To be honest, I talk about it constantly.”

“The Reality Fitness program allowed me to achieve the healthy lifestyle I have longed for. I spent years feeling unhappy about my weight and knowing that I wasn’t eating properly. Like so many people, I tried different diet programs but any achievement was short-lived and not sustainable. Angela’s approach to nutrition coaching is practical and gave me the education, tools and support I needed to be successful. I am thrilled to have lost weight and inches, but I am equally as excited about how I feel. This is the most happy, confident, strong and energized I have ever been, and that has such a positive effect on everything in my life. I love how the program is structured so that you gradually build on habits and over time it’s such a natural progression toward adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is challenging, but I never felt overwhelmed and the changes I’ve made are maintainable for life. Angela helped me gain an understanding of my own triggers when it comes to nutrition and realize that striving for absolute perfection in my diet was not necessary for achieving results. I no longer dwell on the idea that I’m missing out on certain foods, and am motivated by how good I feel to stay consistent with the habits.
I can’t say enough about how valuable Angela’s coaching is. Each week she provides you with helpful and comprehensive information, and her knowledge and experience is shared in such a genuine and supportive way. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend Angela to anyone who is ready to make a transformation to their nutrition and wellness. Thank you!”

“When my son was 3 months old, I had lost all of my baby weight. When he was 9 months old, I weighed more than I had when I was pregnant.
I had lost motivation, I was tired all the time and I had sunk into some pretty bad eating habits. I defended to myself that I just couldn’t do anything else, being self employed with a new baby. But seeing the scale and having to buy new clothes, larger clothes, was too much.
I made the call and made a commitment to do whatever was asked of me for 3 months. Just 3 months. I could do anything for 3 months. So if she said stand on my head, I was committed to doing that because what I was doing, was obviously not working!
Prior to my son’s birth, I was a triathlete and marathon runner, a pretty fit individual, or so I thought! After my first workout, that didn’t even contain weights, I could barely walk up my stairs! I had really let myself go and I hadn’t even realized it.I still saw myself as the fit runner. It was an eye opener.
The nutrition program and workout program were gradual and progressive based on my timeline and achievements. There were times when I slowed it down and times when I was able to move on quickly. I stayed true to myself and the program because I saw results! My clothes started to fit better, I had more energy and I became much stronger than I had ever been before. After my 3 months, I loved it and just kept going! I reached my goal in 1 year and then had to buy new, smaller clothes! I eat differently now and am conscious of how and what I eat.”